CBU graduate student Mariah Curley makes a schedule, and she sticks to it. She plans out her weeks and keeps all of her appointments on her phone, so it’s easy to keep on track. As she says, Mariah “spends her time wisely.”
Being this organized doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Likely born out of equal parts genetic wiring and necessity, keeping a strict schedule helps Mariah focus on the things that really matter to her: basketball, education, and family.
Beginning at age 9, Mariah, an Oklahoma City native, has played basketball. After competing in high school and playing at a junior college in Kansas, she was recruited to Memphis by a local college, where she played and completed a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications.
CBU coaching staff noticed Mariah’s skills and approached her with an opportunity. Because Mariah had an extra year of basketball eligibility, CBU could offer her a scholarship to play basketball and get an advanced degree.
With her eye on the future, Mariah jumped at the chance to play and earn a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). She is taking an ambitious course load and is on track to finish in just over a year.
“I was a business major before I decided to switch over to journalism and communications, and I’ve always been interested in business,” she said. “I saw coming to CBU as a great opportunity. An MBA is very versatile, and it will greatly expand my options when I enter the workforce.”
Women’s Basketball Coach Samantha Davidson said Mariah, who plays the guard position, has been the addition to the team that she hoped for, and praised her for bringing “charisma and joy everywhere she goes.”
“Mariah has come into the basketball program and quickly made an impact,” said Coach Davidson. “She has proven herself to be smart, proactive, and wanting to help those around her. She has earned a captain position and uses every day to push those around her. Some of her best traits are her leadership and communication. She wants to see others do well and continually communicates with her teammates to do that.”
At 22 years old, Mariah also brings maturity to the team. Playing at a time when interest in women’s basketball is high also makes it fun. With the popularity of the WNBA, the Unrivaled league, and women’s college basketball all growing, Mariah said she has noticed “eyes on us now.”
“I’ve noticed more of the respect,” she said. “It used to be people not showing up to our games and waiting for the boys team to play immediately after our game. Now it’s a big respect factor. People in the community are coming. They want their little girls or their students to get to where we are. It’s kinda cool to talk to the next generation and inspire them to do what I’m doing.”
Mariah excelling on the court and in the classroom—and having self-confidence and respect from others regarding her work in both spaces—feels perfect for this moment in time.
“Women athletes are powerful,” she said. “We’re able to show up as both confident women and competitive athletes. We don’t have to choose.”
As a first-generation college graduate, she knows her family back home in Oklahoma are cheering her on. Their love and support give her the energy to continue to step up.
“I want to be someone that they can look at and see that things are possible,” Mariah said. “It inspires me that they know that I’m working every day to be where I want to be in life.”
